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SBI Card · Visa / RuPay · हिन्दी

IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card: full review

The IRCTC SBI Platinum is India's most popular train travel card. The 10% value back on AC tickets + 1.8% transaction charge waiver makes every train journey cheaper. At ₹500 (effectively free with 500 RP renewal bonus), it's a no-brainer add-on for anyone who regularly books train tickets online. The downside: rewards only work for more train tickets.

Apply now ↗Annual fee: ₹500 joining
Last updated: October 2026 · Current terms verified
SBI CARD
VISA
)))
IRCTC PLATINUM
ASHOK KUMAR
12/28
₹500 joining; ₹300 renewal from Year 2 (get 500 RP worth ₹500 annually, effectively free)Annual fee
10% value back as reward points on AC train tickets via IRCTC; 1.8% transaction charge waiver; 0.8% base (1 RP per ₹125)Reward structure
4 railway lounge visits/year (1 per quarter)Lounge access

Key benefits of the IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card

10% value back as reward points on AC1, AC2, AC3 and Chair Car tickets booked via irctc.co.in or IRCTC app1.8% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC ticket bookings (additional saving)5% value back on air tickets and e-catering via IRCTC1 reward point per ₹125 on all other retail spends (0.8%)4 complimentary railway lounge visits/year at participating stations (1 per quarter)350 activation bonus RP on ₹500 spend within 45 days500 renewal RP on annual fee payment, effectively offsets renewal cost1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹500–₹3,000, max ₹100/month)RuPay variant: linkable to UPI apps for credit card payments
Apply now ↗ Min. income: ₹20,000/month (salaried) · Credit score: 700+
Pros and cons
Pros
✓ Best entry-level train card, 10% on AC tickets is the standard rate across all IRCTC co-brands
✓ Renewal fee effectively ₹0, 500 RP received = ₹500 IRCTC booking value
✓ 1.8% transaction charge waiver adds additional savings beyond the 10%
✓ Railway lounge access at 4 stations, comfortable waiting experience
Cons
✗ Reward points redeemable ONLY on IRCTC ticket bookings, no flexibility
✗ 0.8% base rate is very low on non-IRCTC spends
✗ No airport lounge access, only railway lounges
✗ 3.5% forex, not useful for international travel
Quick facts
Issuer SBI Card
Network Visa / RuPay
Annual feeThe yearly fee a bank charges for holding the card, often waived if you spend enough in a year.Full definition → ₹500 joining; ₹300 renewal from Year 2 (get 500 RP worth ₹500 annually, effectively free)
Joining feeA one-time fee charged when you first get the card, separate from the recurring annual fee.Full definition → ₹500
Lounge accessFree entry to airport lounges, usually limited to a set number of visits per quarter or year.Full definition → 4 railway lounge visits/year (1 per quarter)
Forex markupThe extra fee your bank adds on top of the real exchange rate for any spend in a foreign currency.Full definition → 3.5%
Min. incomeThe minimum income, credit score, and other conditions a bank requires before approving your application.Full definition → ₹20,000/month (salaried)
Min. credit scoreYour 3-digit credit score (300-900), higher scores make approval easier and can unlock better cards.Full definition → 700+
SourceSBI Card's published card terms and official card page · Last updated October 2026
Recent updates

Corrected how we count travel: the 10% value back only applies to AC train tickets booked on IRCTC, but our maths applied it to all travel spend, including flights and hotels. Travel now earns the card's base 0.8%; the higher rate is still listed in the card's rewards.

Travel rate in our maths10% on all travel0.8% (10% still applies to AC train tickets booked on IRCTC)
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Frequently asked questions
The annual fee for IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card is ₹500 joining; ₹300 renewal from Year 2 (get 500 RP worth ₹500 annually, effectively free). The joining fee is ₹500.
The main benefits of the IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card are: 10% value back as reward points on AC1, AC2, AC3 and Chair Car tickets booked via irctc.co.in or IRCTC app; 1.8% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC ticket bookings (additional saving); 5% value back on air tickets and e-catering via IRCTC; 1 reward point per ₹125 on all other retail spends (0.8%); 4 complimentary railway lounge visits/year at participating stations (1 per quarter); 350 activation bonus RP on ₹500 spend within 45 days; 500 renewal RP on annual fee payment, effectively offsets renewal cost; 1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹500–₹3,000, max ₹100/month); RuPay variant: linkable to UPI apps for credit card payments.
10% value back as reward points on AC train tickets via IRCTC; 1.8% transaction charge waiver; 0.8% base (1 RP per ₹125)
IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card is best for Frequent AC train travellers who book on IRCTC website or app. The IRCTC SBI Platinum is India's most popular train travel card. The 10% value back on AC tickets + 1.8% transaction charge waiver makes every train journey cheaper. At ₹500 (effectively free with 500 RP renewal bonus), it's a no-brainer add-on for anyone who regularly books train tickets online. The downside: rewards only work for more train tickets.
The minimum income requirement for IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card is ₹20,000/month (salaried). A minimum credit score of 700+ is also recommended.
Yes, IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card offers 4 railway lounge visits/year (1 per quarter).
IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card charges a 3.5% foreign currency markup on international transactions. This is in line with the standard 3.5% charged by most Indian credit cards.
Related guides
Best Travel Credit Cards →Best Premium Credit Cards →Best Super Premium Credit Cards →Best Credit Cards for International Travel →Best Airline Credit Cards →
Card reviews
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit CardFrequent travellers who book hotels and flights through the IDFC FIRST Bank app specifically, where the real redemption value is highest; weak for everyday spending outside the appAxis Bank Select Credit CardHigher spenders (₹6L+ income) who will spend ₹3L+ a year, want international lounge access through Priority Pass with 12 visits, and want a 2% earn rate on everyday retail spendsAxis Bank Privilege Credit CardModerate-to-high spenders in the ₹6-15L income range who will hit the lounge spend gate every quarter and want a simple, uncapped reward rate without chasing accelerated categoriesRBL Bank IRCTC Credit CardFrequent IRCTC train travellers who will use the railway lounges and want cancellation protection, not a general-purpose rewards card
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